Free State coach Naka Drotske isn’t doing any of the other South African teams any favours by effectively conceding defeat to the Crusaders before the game has even been played. Grow a backbone, Drotske and at least show the best team in the competition a little respect!
Drotske has named a significantly weakened side to face the log-leaders in Christchurch. The usual bollocks about “rotation”, “giving everyone a run”, “it’s a long season” and so on will no doubt be trotted out as justification. Fact is, the Cheetahs coach knows his side don’t stand a hope in hell of toppling the Saders in Christchurch and are making it very clear that they have no intention of even trying to do so.
It’s a pretty sad state of affairs that 4 out of 5 SA teams are, essentially, already out of the running for a semi-final spot (the Bulls probably haven’t realised this yet) but if every time one of them faces a tough away fixture against one of the front-runners, it certainly does the Sharks no favours if they decide to forfeit the points. At this rate, the Crusaders could well go through the round-robin stages unbeaten, ensuring home ground advantage in the semi and final. The only away games they still have to play are against the woeful Reds, the Chiefs and the Hurricanes. Lets hope that the Lions at least decide to give them a game; we know the Sharks will.
Going back to the Cheetahs, they have rested 4 guys in the tight 5 and picked a virtually new loose trio. This leaves Kobus Calldo as the only first choice player who will start in the pack, although no 7 Darron Nel at least started last week. The backline sees changes at scrumhalf and inside centre, totaling 8 changes altogether.
Here is the team:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Eddie Fredricks, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Hendrik Meyer, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Conrad Barnard, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Kabamba Floors, 7 Darron Nell, 6 Hendro Scholtz (capt), 5 David de Villiers, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Ronnie Uys.
16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Barend Pieterse, 19 Duanne Vermeulen, 20 Tobie Botes, 21 Falie Oelschig, 22 Meyer Bosman
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i dont think it’s as bad as you’re making out Rob… having fresh, uninjured front runners for the next game gives the Cheetahs a better chance of finally getting a win over there and that could be of more help to the Sharks.
even their own website acknowledges that they are effectively fielding a B-side
i understand that, my post above refers to the Cheetahs possibly having a better chance of winning one of the games following the Crusaders match by resting their best players now. that could help the Sharks.
When all’s said and done i guess the Sharks shouldnt be relying on any other team to help them… they have to go to Canterbury and win their game. 🙂
yes and no, Spyker… I agree that we need to do the job ourselves, impossible as it may seem. But there could be unforeseen consequences too. What if the Cheetahs go out and give the Saders a bloody hard game, even without winning? This could potentially have a knock-on effect and cause the Saders to be off-colour the next week…
Fact is, you would never see an SA team pick a second string outfit for a local derby. Why are we always so much keener to moer each other than we are to give the “real enemies” a proper go?
‘Broedertwis’…always been that way, and i’m not sure its that different in NZ… Crusaders have Blues just before us,i’m pretty sure thats going to be a bruising encounter (especially with the Ali Williams story)… should take a lot out of Crusaders to our benefit
Let’s hope so… this still doesn’t sit well with me, though…
Playing devils advocate here, but I get the feeling that the Sharks are not planning on playing their absolute best team against the Lions this weekend.
The Sharks have announced their team Salmonoid?
Yes, but the intention is different. Sharks feel they can beat the lions with their second stringers. Cheetahs feel they can’t win even with their best team
Salmonoid is that Inhaca Island in your pic?
Dive Pass
No but there is talk of a few guys being given a rest, however when one ways up the options and play with the permutations the team/s still look potent.
Agree Rob but imagine if they run them close with their second stringers (much as the Boks did in NZ and Aus last year) then that alone will sow a lot of doubt in their minds as to how good they really are.
Bryce
No, its the Kosi Bay mouth – a very special place, pristine and largely unspoilt. ( well when I was last there 9+ years ago )
Hi Salmanoid! Also been there about 9+ years ago…best snorkelling EVER!!! Lucky I did not know about the SHARKS when we swam through the mouth to get to the lagoon!! Lots of blue bottles though – also luckily did not get stung!
Had such a good time with my ex-hubby and some friends there!
A blue bottle chilling on your upper lip is extremely unpleasant.
Oh – my Superbru got a serious knock this past weekend!!
I was on a high with the hurricanes win…checking on superbru I saw tha I selected Highander…suppose the “H”‘s confused this blonde big time… 😳 😳 😳 😳 🙁 🙄
Then the stormers surprised ( oh well good for them) and gone totally wrong with another…memory seems to fail on which one that was… 😳 😳
Well – just have to come back with a vengeance this weekend!!! 😈
PJLD – it could save on the botox??!! 😛 😆
Hi Ice
I remember you, dont worry I wont say anything.
Hahahaha!!! Well show your face and I will see if I remember YOU!
What you mean you wont say anything?? ❓ ❓ 😉
R U twisting my words????
Shame on you! 😈
Ice
If you want to see me have a close look on the beach, just below the bottom entrance to the mouth – Im the one checking out the blonde thats snorkelling into the lake being followed by a school of blue bottles. 😉
Its still pathetic.
What is, VCS?? ❓
Going into a game expecting to lose Ms. Ice…
Thanks for clearing that… 😉
Sorry Ice, I just read the article and walked away from my desk and commented without refreshing first to see where the convo had gone… 😳
😆 No prob Vinnie, no prob! 😆